1962 CJ5 - Brake swap???

I have acquired a 1962 CJ5 in mint condition, however the brakes are less than desirable. I would like to put disc brakes on the rig and would like to find out what my best options are. The rig has dana 27's I believe?
Input appreciated, thanks

 

http://www.earlycj5.com/technical/brakes/early-cj-disk-brake-swap/

From the Technical section.
Also a search for "disc brakes" "brake conversion" "disc brake conversion" etc. will bring up tons of information both on disc brakes or on the 11" drum brake conversion.
There are also vendors like R&P http://www.r-p4wd.com/ 503-557-8911 and Hermtheoverdriveguy http://hermtheoverdriveguy.com/ that sell kits. R&P sells kits for both front and rear. Herm is well-liked here. Both are reputable but I'm biased.

 

I just went through this ----- at least the decision making process part, and also parts acquisition.

Still need to do the actual install, but another project is first in line.

Before you jump off into this, evaluate the desired end product you want.

Are you going to keep stock engine?? Or add a bunch of power??

Are you planning on changing the gear ratio???

Stock ride height and tires??? Or, 36" monsters??

Mainly street driven, and an occasional bit of wheelin???

You get the idea.

All these will influence your final setup, little planning now will save re-work in the future.

Good luck

 

Thanks, I'll chase this info down. A fellow jeeper told me to get rid of the Dana 27's and replace with Dana 44's that have discs on them. Is this a valid "ease od swap" and "cost" method do you think?

 

You already have a Dana 44 rear and a Dana 44 front swap is not cheap or particularly easy as there is no Dana 44 front the right width. Personally I'd say drive it, see what you like and don't, then adjust to your useage and taste. Drive it first though. I would say a brake upgrade is one of the best things I ever did to any of my Jeeps, but it all depends on your intended use. If used around town as an occasional driver, you may be fine with what you have. If you intend on building it up, then an upgrade may be in order.

There's are too much of the "gottahave44's60'sbigtiresupgradeeverything" mentality out there. These old Jeeps have worked since 1941 in their various forms.
If your Jeep is truly pristine I'd really hesitate to hack it up. Maybe do a few safety upgrades but if you want to chop it into a rock crawler, mud bogger, etc. the please find a junker or other easy to find Jeep to do that with and let someone who appreciates the Early's purchase it from you....

 

Thanks, I left all this info out...the rig has a chevy 350, upgraded 11" drums, master cylinder, and aftermarket rims and tires, 30" i believe (I pick it up tomorrow), otherwise it is stock.
I will not be taking this to the Rubicon, I will go camping, fishing, and pull my ski boat once and a while to the local lake.

 

no chopping, just want better braking power, primarily for when my wife may drive it.

 

Where did you find the parts, or kit to do this? the local 4x4 shop told me it was not possible?

 

My 11" drums and 33's will put you in the windshield when you jump on them. Are yours adjusted up good?
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Found the front axle----D 30 on Craigs list, found the rear, by using local word of mouth-----a buddy knew of one.

I ended up getting a complete front and rear setup for less than the cost of a disk conversion kit for just the front axle.

In addition, 3.73 gears, and powerlock in both, and 11" with e-brake rear, flanged D44.

 

I did the disk upgrade to my 27, and also switched to a dual reservoir master cylinder. I love the results.
I sometimes think I may have been able to swap to a later 30 open knuckle, but I think finding one of those that already has discs and the right spring perches may be tough. If I want to swap to a 30 later, I can easily find one with drums, and my discs will fit it!

 

If the 30 is from a CJ the spring pad spacing is the same as the CJ 25's and 27's.

 

My mistake... I thought spring perch width changed in '76, but with more research I see that is only on rear axles.

 

converting to power will make a huge differance. The 11's should be enough.

 

Mint condition would be the state of the vehicle when it originally left the factory

 

Well that certainly is a question mark for me. The rig has new master cylinder, lines, and the drums. When you press on the brakes: 1) short travel of pefal, and the first 1/3 of travel is dead (no resistance). 2) when they engage they will stop the vehicle, but there is nothing left to push down to, and no way to "lock them up", and they pull left.
I have checked for adjustment and air in line and all seems OK?

 

well your right, but I tend to believe I am still in mint condition even though I left the womb 50 years ago.